Pronghorns hosting Indigenous night

By Lethbridge Herald on November 21, 2024.

 Alexandra Noad

Lethbridge Herald-Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s and women’s basketball will be hosting their third-annual Indigenous night tonight  beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The night will begin with an Elder’s prayer and include traditional dancing and singing at each halftime show.

There will also be an Indigenous market where people can shop authentic Indigenous artists and crafters as well as a raffles for ice-level tickets to Flames vs. Canucks game and a handmade ribbon skirt.

All proceeds of the raffle will go to future Indigenous programing.

During the programming there will also be a presentation of a Blackfoot inspired Indigenous jersey to the Blood Tribe.

Foster Wright, president of All My Relations-an Indigenous club at the university, says sports have helped him connect to his culture on a deeper level.

“I was taught (the team) is a community, it’s a family and we all come together and we have one goal. That goal is to have fun, but I think it’s that love of the game and the love for each other that really brings us together in those moments,” said Foster.

Wright played hockey for 15 years in his home province of B.C. and had the privilege to represent his province and tribe all over the country.

Along with sharing Indigenous culture, Foster hopes the night will be one of reconciliation for all who choose to attend.

“What we believe is the understanding that we’re all brothers and sisters here and that reconciliation of how we have so many similarities and also so many differences that bring our perspectives together,” said Foster.

Wright added that it is through these perspectives and humanness we are able to come together as a community to learn from each other to build stronger perspectives.

The women’s basketball game will begin at 6 p.m. with the men following at 8 p.m.

Indigenous people as well as university students can attend the games free of charge.

Tickets can be purchased at gohorns.ca.